Two people have been hospitalized after a small plane crashed onto a Southern California freeway Friday morning, landing in a ball of flame and smoke.

The Cessna’s pilot declared an emergency after taking off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, and tried to return before coming down on the busy highway, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

"Mayday, mayday."the pilot of the plane was heard saying in an air traffic control recording, before adding, "I lost my right engine."

Two people aboard the plane suffered traumatic injuries. They were alive when pulled from the plane, according to authorities, but were in unknown condition as of early Friday evening.